Rebel Witch

Cressida begins rounding up and executing traitors and those who won’t swear fealty to her. Rune remains imprisoned and has only Seraphine and the occasional Cressida-approved visitor for company. Her hands are nearly always bound in witch restraints to prevent her from using magic. One night, Seraphine reveals that a growing number of witches don’t support Cressida yet don’t dare stand against her. Seraphine and Rune brainstorm how to compromise Cressida. Rune suggests that Seraphine dispose of Rune so that Cressida loses Soren’s support, but Seraphine refuses. They can’t destroy Elowyn and Analise Roseblood’s bodies since no one but Cressida knows their location. Seraphine hypothesizes that Cressida will eventually need to replenish the preservation spell or fully resurrect them and that, when she does, she might take Rune with her.

Every evening, Cressida’s enemies are brought to beg for their lives in the banquet hall, reminding Rune of the Republic’s former private purging of witches. That evening, the Commander’s spymaster, Harrow, is dragged before Cressida. Recognizing her, Juniper flees. Seraphine pointedly suggests that Rune check on her, leading Rune to think this is her chance to escape. As she leaves, she sees Juniper panicking in the hall. Juniper claims to know Harrow from childhood.